‘The Bachelor’: Matt James Wouldn’t Be the Bachelor If It Weren’t for Tyler Cameron’s Mom

Matt James is off to start filming his season of The Bachelor. James’ season will be historic in a number of ways. He is the first Black Bachelor but the way that he became the Bachelor is also pretty interesting. He was originally cast to be a contestant on Clare Crawley’s season but before taping for Crawley ever even began, he was moved into the role of Bachelor. Now, James’ life is about to change forever. But none of this would have happened without Bachelorette contestant Tyler Cameron’s mom.

Tyler Cameron and Matt James’ relationship

Cameron first came into the Bachelor world when he competed on Hannah Brown’s season of The Bachelorette. Though he finished in second place, he ultimately won over the hearts of bachelor nation and gained many fans from his time on the show. People who began following Cameron quickly took notice of his best friend, who just happened to be James. The two did events and helped out charities together, and soon James’ popularity began to skyrocket as well.

Tyler Cameron’s mom submitted Matt to ‘The Bachelor’

James owes the lifechanging journey that he is about to embark on to his best friend’s mom. Before Cameron’s mother Andrea died earlier this year, she nominated James to go on the show.

“She would be happy to know that I followed through with it,” he told Entertainment Tonight. “She had nominated me and I think she saw everything that it did for Tyler and the way that he had changed as a man, and me being his roommate and being one of her sons, I think that she wanted something like that for myself.” 

“So, I wanted to see it [through] for her,” he continued.

Matt is the first Black Bachelor

For years, fans have been hounding ABC to get more diverse when it comes to casting for the show. Since the franchise’s inception, it has featured mostly white contestants and has only had one Black lead, Rachel Lindsay. Now, with the country riddled with social unrest, ABC decided to finally heed fans’ cries and cast a Black Bachelor.

“I don’t think it’s ever the wrong time to do the right thing. We can’t have change until we put that first foot forward,” James said on Good Morning America as he was announced as the Bachelor. “I think a lot of people are in that situation where they’re uncomfortable dating outside their race. It’s a conversation starter for a lot of people. And hopefully again it paves the way for a lot of diverse love stories, because those are beautiful stories.”

According to James, his new position in the Bachelor world, may bring a more diverse viewership to the franchise as well.

On Sep. 23, James announced that he was leaving social media to get started filming. “See yall in 2 months,” he wrote, adding in the peace emoji and a heart emoji.

His season is set to premiere at the beginning of 2021. Now, fans are eagerly waiting to see how Crawley’s season turns out after rumors spread that Crawley quit at the beginning of her season and was replaced by Tayshia Adams.